Police officers during an operation where miners are currently underground.Image: ANTONIO MUCHAVE

Three teens in group of zama zamas

17 illegal miners resurface from shafts

by · SowetanLIVE

Three teenagers are among 17 illegal miners who resurfaced from an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein, North West, on Wednesday. 

Police spokesperson Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: "Of the 17 illegal miners, 14, all foreign nationals from Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, resurfaced from Margaret Shaft and three at Shaft No 10. They are still being processed," he said.

Armed or not, illegal miners will come out – Mchunu“Whether they are armed or not, they [illegal miners] will come out. Stilfontein is not a hide out,” says police minister Senzo Mchunu.Jeanette Chabalala, 25 Nov 2024Court dismisses application by organisation fighting for zama zamasThe Pretoria high court has dismissed an application by the Society for the Protection of Our Constitution which sought to compel the government to provide emergency disaster relief to illegal miners who are underground at the Stilfontein mine, North West.Jeanette Chabalala, 25 Nov 2024We won't send ARVS to zama zamas without a prescription – Motsoaledi“We can't just dish out ARVs like that. It is not Panado or vitamins or over-the-counter medication.” This is what the health minister Aaron Motsoaledi said when responding to the request made by illegal miners who are underground in the Old Buffelsfontein mine in Stilfontein, North West. On Monday, the illegal miners sent a letter up to the surface which stated: “Sicela ama ARVs plz, abantu bayawadinga ngapha.Jeanette Chabalala and Herman Moloi, 20 Nov 2024